- 3 hours ago
Too Late For Your Tears, Brothers
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00The day after my bone cancer diagnosis, my three brothers took me to Thrill Skate Park.
00:05Staring at the giant pendulum ride, I bit back the weakness.
00:09Seb, I can't go on that.
00:10I tried to explain again and again.
00:12Viv, you've got some nerve!
00:14Making up cancer lies for attention?
00:20Chloe stayed up a whole week to grab VIP passes for your birthday.
00:23Could you act grateful for one?
00:24In the end, they forced me on the ride anyway.
00:27You're riding every thrill ride today.
00:30Time to cure you of this lying, attention-seeking bullshit.
00:32The second the ride lifted off, searing pain shot through my bones.
00:36I couldn't stop shaking.
00:38The pendulum, pirate ship, drop tower, everything I loved as a kid had turned into torture.
00:44Round after round, the pain wore me down until I couldn't even cry anymore.
00:48When he saw how quiet and compliant I was, my oldest brother finally smiled.
00:53After the last roller coaster, we'll head to the private suite.
00:56Got your favorite triple-layer cream cake.
00:58But, I never got off that roller coaster alive.
01:02The doors popped open, and tourists filed out, chattering about the drops and g-forces.
01:07They were all hyped up, still buzzing from the rush, a little shaky from the thrill.
01:11Only the back corner had one girl, sitting completely still.
01:15Her head was pressed into the cold safety bar, her brown wavy hair falling over her face.
01:20It looked like she'd just passed out from tiredness after the ride.
01:24I darted through the crowd, shoving my way to the car.
01:27When I saw her face, I froze, my brain short-circuiting.
01:30I reached for my own arm, and my hand went right through it.
01:34That was me.
01:35I was dead.
01:37A wave of grief crashed over me.
01:39God really has a sick sense of humor.
01:41I died on my 18th birthday, the day I wanted to live more than anything in the world.
01:46The exit was loud and crowded.
01:48Families who didn't dare ride the thrill rides were pressed against the metal rail,
01:53craning their necks to spot their people.
01:54My three brothers, and our adopted sister Chloe, were right there with them.
01:59Chloe was in her favorite pink sundress, bouncing on her heels as she stared at the crowd.
02:03Where's Viv?
02:07Why hasn't she come out yet?
02:09Sebastian was in his tailored suit, standing behind her, hands in his pockets.
02:13We'd been waiting 20 minutes, and his face was getting colder by the second,
02:18flicking his eyes to his watch over and over.
02:21This girl is so out of line!
02:24Seb growled, his eyes ice cold.
02:26She's just throwing a fit because it's her birthday.
02:29Ethan jumped in, putting on that gentle smile he always used.
02:31Come on, cut her some slack.
02:34She's probably just having fun.
02:37It's not a big deal, she's just a kid.
02:39Leander leaned against the rail, joking like usual.
02:41She's always been slow.
02:42But I saw the tiny flicker of worry he couldn't hide.
02:45You used to do the same shit at home.
02:50We spoiled her too much, that's the problem.
02:52Chloe turned right away, putting on that sweet, innocent act she did so well.
02:56Don't say that, guys.
02:58Viv will be out soon.
03:00She didn't mean to keep us waiting.
03:02Meanwhile, the ride attendant at the unloading platform was already set up.
03:06Ma'am, we're at the station.
03:08Stop sleeping in the car.
03:09Get off now.
03:10You're holding up the next group.
03:11But no matter how much he yelled, my body didn't move an inch.
03:15This park's rides are always packed.
03:17And it's a public holiday.
03:19Every ride has an hour plus wait.
03:21The next group, who'd been baking in the sun for an hour, lost it when they saw the platform blocked.
03:26They started yelling.
03:27Dude, go sleep at home.
03:28This ticket cost me 100 bucks.
03:30I didn't wait an hour for nothing.
03:31What the hell is wrong with this person?
03:33Is she just trying to piss everyone off?
03:35Hey, are you guys going to do something?
03:37If not, I'm calling your manager to complain.
03:39The heat and the weight had everyone on edge, and the crowd started pushing.
03:43I was panicking, floating back and forth, sweating through my ghostly form.
03:48I'm sorry.
03:49I didn't mean to block the ride.
03:52I'm dead.
03:53I can't move.
03:54But no matter how loud I screamed, they couldn't hear me.
03:57My voice went right through them.
03:59Finally, the attendant couldn't take the pressure anymore, and grabbed his radio to call dispatch.
04:04A second later, the park's loudspeaker blared, echoing through the whole park.
04:09Is the family of Vivian Grayson here?
04:15Please report to the Extreme Coaster unloading platform immediately.
04:19We have an emergency.
04:20Please cooperate with Steph.
04:22When Steph heard my name over the speaker, he froze.
04:25His face went dark.
04:27Are you kidding me?
04:28She's really pulling this shit, getting on the park's speaker?
04:31She's embarrassing the whole Grayson family!
04:33I was furious.
04:34He pushed past Ethan and Leander, who tried to stop him, shoved through the crowd, and
04:39stormed onto the platform, right up to the coaster car.
04:41He stared down at my still body, forcing his anger down in front of everyone.
04:46Vivian, you think you're tough?
04:48I'm gonna count to three.
04:51Three.
04:52Two.
04:53He dragged the words out, but I still didn't move.
04:57The crowd behind him started cheering, pulling out their phones to film, all just here to
05:02gawk at the drama.
05:04Fine.
05:06Fine.
05:07Today, I'm gonna teach you a lesson, you lying little brat!
05:12He stormed forward, grabbed me by the collar, and slapped me hard across the face.
05:16Smack.
05:17The sharp crack echoed across the platform.
05:19I didn't fight or make a sound, going limp with the hit and slumping lifeless into the
05:24coaster seat.
05:27Step had no idea I'd react like this.
05:29Normally, when he got mad, I'd be shaking and crying.
05:32But now, I was just like a broken doll, flopped there, completely motionless.
05:38Vivian, what the hell is wrong with you?
05:41So mad, his chest was heaving, his fingers shaking hard.
05:43The crowd behind him was getting more and more fed up.
05:47Quit faking!
05:48Keep it up if you're so tired!
05:50You got slapped and you're still playing dead?
05:53Viv, you're really something else!
05:55Just then, Ethan, Leander, and Chloe finally caught up.
05:58When they saw me, they all froze.
06:00Snorked.
06:01Chloe stepped forward, voice full of mockery.
06:03Viv, you're such a lightweight.
06:05One coaster ride and you're wiped out?
06:07Come on, get up!
06:09Stop playing dead!
06:10Everyone's watching!
06:11She faked reaching for me, but before her hand even touched me, Ethan, who'd always doted
06:16on her, scared she'd get caught up in my mess, yanked her back into his arms.
06:20Seb turned his head away, huffing.
06:22Wouldn't even glance at me.
06:24Seb!
06:25Ethan!
06:26I'm really dead!
06:27I'm not faking this!
06:29Please!
06:29Just look at me!
06:32Check my pulse, please!
06:34Just look at me!
06:36Enough.
06:37She's embarrassing us.
06:38Let's get her out of here.
06:39Seb said coldly to his brothers.
06:41The attendant was fed up too.
06:43Sir, can you please get her out of here?
06:45You're holding up the ride!
06:47With the attendant rushing them, Seb grabbed me by the collar again and dragged me roughly
06:51off the coaster seat.
06:52I still didn't move.
06:54My limbs hung limp, and he dragged me across the cold concrete floor like I was trash.
06:58The sky was starting to dim.
07:00The original plan was, after the coaster, we were gonna head to the park's luxury viewing
07:05suite for my birthday one I'd been dreaming of for months.
07:07But Seb slung me roughly over his shoulder, lips pressed tight, his voice getting colder.
07:12Vivian, this is the last time I'm asking.
07:15Are you gonna walk on your own?
07:18You're 18.
07:19Act like it!
07:19But all he got was dead silence.
07:22Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted the old, shut down forest train cars parked in
07:27the dim woods nearby.
07:28He didn't hesitate, stormed over with me over his shoulder, and shoved me hard into one
07:32of the dark cars.
07:34If you wanna act deaf and dumb, stay here.
07:39When you apologize, we'll come get you.
07:42No birthday party tonight.
07:43Let's go.
07:46In the dark, he turned and walked away.
07:49Didn't look back once.
07:50I watched my cold body get left alone in that abandoned car, and I had no choice but to float
07:55after them.
07:56My 18th birthday party?
07:58Seb changed it right then, to a celebration for Chloe three years since she'd joined the
08:02Grayson family.
08:03In the luxury suite up high, all the birthday decor for me was torn down by security, replaced
08:08with the pink teddy bear theme Chloe loved.
08:10Even the triple layer cream cake Seb had custom made for me months ago.
08:13The staff just tossed it in a corner like it was trash.
08:16When I saw that, I couldn't take it anymore, and finally broke down crying, floating in the
08:21air.
08:22Chloe, tonight we're celebrating three years since you came to us.
08:26You settling in, oh kiddo, kiddo?
08:31Seb softened his voice.
08:32This is for you, Chloe.
08:34And clipped that pink diamond necklace, the one he'd gotten me for my coming-of-age present,
08:37right around Chloe's neck.
08:38Chloe ran her fingers over the necklace, looking shocked, like she couldn't believe it was
08:43real.
08:44Chloe, don't act surprised.
08:46You earned this.
08:47Anything Viv had will give you double.
08:49You're just as much our princess as she is.
08:52When Ethan said my name, Seb and Leander both frowned, so fast you almost couldn't see
08:56it.
08:57Watching that fake, sweet scene, I couldn't help but snort, cold as ice.
09:02Treat her the same as me.
09:05Ethan, do you even feel guilty saying that shit?
09:07I remember Clear's day, the day Chloe first moved in.
09:10She offhandedly said her room was cold, and Ethan gave her my master bedroom, the one with
09:15the best light in the whole house.
09:16And me?
09:16I got forced to move into the dark, damp basement.
09:20Lived there for three years.
09:22And that wasn't even the worst of it.
09:24Chloe transferred in, but she was too far behind to keep up with high school classes.
09:28To protect her ego, they made me hold back a grade with her.
09:31That's what Leander told me.
09:33You're both Grayson girls.
09:37If you don't do this, what if they make fun of her?
09:41After that, everything in the house was all about Chloe.
09:44You're the older sister, act mature.
09:46You've had it easy for 18 years.
09:48Viv, why are you so cold now?
09:52All those stupid, unfair accusations, they were like hammers, beating on my chest nonstop
09:57for two years.
09:59Just then, outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, fireworks started going off, bright as hell.
10:03Hundreds of drones lit up the night sky, spelling out Chloe's name.
10:07Chloe, my princess, welcome to the Grayson's.
10:10With us three brothers here, no one's ever gonna hurt you.
10:16Seb said, pulling the teary Chloe into a hug, his voice soft as could be.
10:20Chloe wiped her tears, all emotional.
10:23Then suddenly remembered something.
10:25She grabbed her phone.
10:26You guys are so good to me.
10:29I-I-I can't keep this from you.
10:31It's about Viv.
10:33There's a reason she acted out today.
10:35When he opened the screen, there it was a video of me, with some blonde punk, all over
10:40each other.
10:41Gross.
10:41It was obviously AI faked, but anger burned through the guy's common sense before they
10:46could notice.
10:46Are you kidding me, Viv?
10:48You really outdid yourself!
10:51Hooking up with some sketchy loser?
10:54Vivian is not our sister anymore!
10:56I was floating next to them, seeing the hate in their eyes, screaming as loud as I could,
11:00my throat raw.
11:02No!
11:02That's not real!
11:03I didn't do that.
11:04I don't even know that guy.
11:06But I was a ghost.
11:08No body.
11:09Disgrace!
11:10She's a disgrace to our name!
11:12Acting out, playing dead, hooking up with thugs!
11:15Is she trying to ruin our family's name?
11:17Ethan and Leander sighed, too, staring at the phone.
11:21When they looked at me, all they had was disgust and disappointment.
11:25After a while, Seb calmed down and pulled a velvet box out of his pocket, cold as ice.
11:30When he opened it, there was Mom's sapphire pendant.
11:33When I saw that pendant, my heart dropped right into my stomach.
11:37It was the only thing Mom left us.
11:39We each had one, a pair.
11:41It was his most prized possession for twenty years.
11:44But the next second, he clipped it right around Chloe's neck.
11:48Chloe froze, shocked, like she couldn't believe it.
11:51Chloe, from now on you're the only Grayson daughter.
11:54But this pendant, it's yours now.
11:59I just stared, frozen, too shocked to speak.
12:02The next second...
12:04Harrison, remove Vivian's name from the inheritance completely.
12:07All her stuff in the house, throw it out.
12:10From this day on, there is no Vivian.
12:14Not in this family.
12:17He hung up, his face blank, and put his phone away.
12:21Like he'd just handled a tiny errand, nothing important.
12:24I was floating in the air, so numb I couldn't even cry.
12:28Seb.
12:28He used to be the most loving person in the world to me.
12:31He took care of me my whole life, like a dad as much as a brother.
12:35I remember clear as day.
12:37In middle school, I got cornered by punks in an alley.
12:40Seb was only in middle school, too.
12:41And when he heard, he didn't think twice.
12:44Grabbed a baseball bat, and ran over alone, ready to fight them all.
12:48He got hurt bad.
12:49Don't be scared.
12:51That day, I didn't get a scratch.
12:53But Seb, he spent over a month in the hospital.
12:55First ICU, then the regular ward.
12:58To this day, that scar from that fight, it's still right there on his forehead, clear as day.
13:03For 18 years, I looked at that scar, and swore I'd love him forever.
13:08I never thought his love for me would just rot away like that.
13:11But ever since Chloe came to live with us, everything changed.
13:15I floated there, staring at his cold, cruel face.
13:18And suddenly, all that sibling love I'd clung to for 18 years, it was all bullshit.
13:23Pointless.
13:24Just then, sharp emergency sirens blared across the park.
13:28The speakers went off at the same time.
13:30Attention all guests!
13:32Due to an emergency, please evacuate!
13:36Please evacuate in an orderly manner!
13:38The tourists outside the suite panicked right away.
13:41They didn't know what was going on.
13:43But if a huge park like this was evacuating everyone at night, something bad had happened.
13:48The party got cut off.
13:50Chloe looked at the chaos, and I saw that flash of annoyance and frustration cross her face.
13:55Just then, there was a sharp knock on the suite's oak door.
13:58Seb frowned.
13:59That brat finally got over her fit, huh?
14:04Heard the alarm, now she's playing the victim.
14:09She sure knows how to picket time.
14:10Chloe saw that, grabbed Seb's arm right away.
14:13Don't be mad, guys.
14:15Viv's been out in the cold.
14:17She must have realized she was wrong.
14:23She's probably here to come home with us.
14:25But then, the door swung open.
14:27It wasn't me.
14:29It was a couple of NYPD cops, their faces serious.
14:32Excuse me, are you the family of Vivian Grayson?
14:36The lead cop asked.
14:38Deep voice.
14:38Serious.
14:39Seb froze.
14:41Nodded.
14:42Dumbfounded.
14:42At first, he thought I must have smashed something, or fought with a tourist.
14:46That's why the cops were here.
14:47His face went right back to angry.
14:49I'm sorry to tell you this.
14:50Just now, staff found your sister's body in that abandoned train car.
14:57We need you to identify her.
15:00Identify her?
15:01What, is this a joke?
15:03Officer, don't pull that shit!
15:05Viv was just here throwing a fit!
15:07Viv was just here throwing a fit!
15:09Are you even NPCs?
15:12Is this a prank?
15:13He was yelling, tough.
15:15But when he saw the cop's cold face,
15:17he couldn't help that flicker of panic crossing his eyes.
15:20Ten minutes later,
15:22that woods and the old train area,
15:24the cops strung up yellow police tape around it.
15:27Evacuating tourists craned their necks,
15:29curious, trying to see.
15:30But the guards yelled them back sharp.
15:32The whole place was so tense, you could feel it.
15:35Seb's face got darker as we walked closer.
15:38Ethan and Leander followed, pale as ghosts.
15:40Chloe, at the back,
15:41when she saw the police lights, she panicked.
15:44Mr. Grayson, we're not messing with you.
15:46The time of death was three hours ago.
15:49She was terminal bone cancer.
15:52Extreme stress shut down her organs.
15:55Seb went rigid instantly.
15:57This can't be!
15:59This is impossible!
16:01What are you talking about?
16:05He yelled, out of his mind,
16:07ripping the white sheet off my body with his shaking hand.
16:10The cop's work light snapped on,
16:12the cold light shining straight on my face.
16:15The second he saw my face,
16:17Seb froze.
16:18That's when he saw it.
16:20Under the light,
16:21my face was pale as death.
16:23My lips were chapped and bleeding,
16:25from where I'd bit them dying.
16:26For three hours,
16:27he'd carried me,
16:29thrown me in that cold car as punishment.
16:31He never noticed my skin was already that wrong pale back then.
16:34He lifted his shaking hand,
16:36fingers reaching slow for my cheek.
16:37When his skin touched mine,
16:39that ice cold shot through his body from his fingertips.
16:43No warmth,
16:44no breath,
16:45nothing.
16:46Seb yanked his hand back,
16:48like he'd been burned by a hot iron.
16:50Ethan,
16:50when he saw my face,
16:51he lost it,
16:52panicked.
16:53Viv!
16:53Stop it!
16:55This is too far!
16:56Get up!
16:57Don't scare us!
16:58Get up!
17:00I'll take you home,
17:01we'll do the birthday,
17:02just get up,
17:02please!
17:04Leander's eyes were red too,
17:05reaching for my stiff arm,
17:07begging,
17:07panicked.
17:08Viv,
17:08stop playing!
17:09Viv,
17:10stop playing!
17:11I'm begging you!
17:13This isn't funny anymore!
17:15The cop saw that,
17:16stepped in,
17:17pulled the two apart.
17:18Sir,
17:19calm down!
17:20This is a crime scene!
17:22Don't,
17:23don't touch the body,
17:24you'll contaminate the evidence!
17:26Chloe stood off to the side,
17:27twisting her dress hem,
17:29trembling so hard from fear she could barely stand.
17:31The cop walked up to Seb.
17:33Mr. Grayson,
17:34can you confirm,
17:36the deceased is Vivian Grayson?
17:38Seb snapped back to reality,
17:40lost it.
17:41He grabbed the cop by the collar,
17:43fingers so tight they creaked.
17:44Almost choking him out right there.
17:46How the fuck could my sister be dead?
17:48She was on that coaster ten minutes ago!
17:51And the bone cancer,
17:53what the fuck is that about?
17:55She was fine!
17:56How could she have terminal cancer?
17:59You tell me right now!
18:01He yelled,
18:02rambling,
18:02shaking so hard from fear and anger he could barely stand.
18:06That calm Grayson CEO,
18:08gone,
18:09just like that.
18:10The M.E. saw that,
18:11frowned,
18:12stepped forward,
18:13pulling Seb's hands off the collar.
18:14Your sister was diagnosed with terminal bone cancer a year ago.
18:19How the hell did you,
18:21her family,
18:21not know a thing about this?
18:23The M.E. shook the autopsy report.
18:26Her terminal bone cancer destroyed all her bones.
18:29They were so brittle,
18:30even moving a little would cause agony.
18:33She could break a bone just like that.
18:35in that state.
18:36Forget coasters,
18:38pendulum rides,
18:38all that extreme stuff.
18:40Even just walking around the park,
18:41that would have been agony for her.
18:43And you,
18:43her family,
18:44brought her to a thrill park like this,
18:46forced her to ride all the most extreme rides.
18:48That wasn't fun.
18:49That was torture.
18:50When Seb heard that,
18:52his legs gave out,
18:53he collapsed to his knees,
18:54and that's when it hit him.
18:56This morning,
18:56at the park entrance,
18:58me,
18:58pale as hell,
19:00holding my chest,
19:01begging him not to make me go.
19:02He mumbled,
19:03I didn't know.
19:05I really didn't know.
19:07She never told me.
19:10She never said it hurt that bad.
19:13I floated a few feet away,
19:16watching them panicking and regretful.
19:18All I felt was numb,
19:20disappointed.
19:21Brother,
19:22I did tell you it hurt.
19:23I told you a million times.
19:25You just ignored me.
19:27Every single time.
19:29Before we even came to the park today,
19:30I was so weak,
19:32I could barely walk out the door.
19:33In the car,
19:34I told you over and over I was in pain.
19:36I couldn't move,
19:37but you wouldn't even look at me.
19:39You assumed I was faking it for attention,
19:41stealing Chloe's spotlight.
19:43You yelled if I didn't go.
19:45I was cold,
19:45throwing away what Chloe did,
19:47staying up for those VIP passes.
19:49At the end of the day,
19:50for two years,
19:51all you saw was that perfect,
19:53sweet Chloe.
19:54There was never any room for me,
19:56not even a little bit.
19:57Right then,
19:58when the whole place went dead silent,
20:00a cop ran over with papers,
20:02his face tight and serious.
20:04He leaned in,
20:05whispering to the lead officer,
20:07then the lead officer turned,
20:09his eyes cold and sharp,
20:11scanning you guys one by one.
20:13Mr. Grayson's,
20:14we pulled the park's logs,
20:15got security footage from earlier today.
20:19It's about what happened to the victim
20:21while she was here.
20:22The cop stepped forward,
20:24pulled out a tablet,
20:25hit play,
20:26the screen lit up,
20:27and there it was,
20:29footage stitched from multiple security cameras.
20:32First up,
20:33was the sky carousel area.
20:34The video showed it clear as day.
20:36Before the ride started,
20:37I was in so much pain from cancer,
20:39I tried to slide off,
20:40but this rough attendant grabbed my shoulders hard,
20:43shoved me right back on that broken horse.
20:45Its safety latch was totally loose,
20:48nothing like the working ones around it.
20:49Even an idiot could tell someone tampered with it.
20:52The ride started,
20:53the carousel spun slow,
20:55but every bounce or shake,
20:57that broken seat slammed and wobbled like crazy.
21:00In the footage,
21:00I was tense from pain,
21:02face white as a sheet.
21:03I didn't want you guys to think I was lying.
21:06So,
21:06I bit my lip so hard,
21:08I didn't make a sound.
21:09Right after that,
21:10the footage cut to the next,
21:12the massive pendulum ride we did earlier.
21:14The close-up showed it.
21:16When the attendant buckled me in,
21:18he did it half-assed.
21:19The main buckle didn't even click into the slot,
21:22just left it hanging.
21:23Until,
21:24the pendulum launched.
21:25Swinging hard,
21:26high up.
21:27And sure enough,
21:28the G-forces hit.
21:29The whole seatbelt came loose.
21:31Half my body got thrown right over the safety bar.
21:34Then,
21:34inertia yanked me right back,
21:36slamming my back into the hard metal seat.
21:39Blood ran down my chin.
21:40My eyes went unfocused.
21:42The seatbelt trapped me,
21:44so I bit my lip and held on.
21:46Wouldn't break in front of them.
21:48Pirate ship.
21:49Drop tower.
21:50Every ride they forced me on,
21:52all the safety locks were tampered with.
21:54The park I loved as a kid,
21:56it was a torture chamber for me.
21:58Seb stood frozen,
21:59shaking so hard his fists clenched tight,
22:02nails sticking into his palms,
22:03blood dripping onto the concrete.
22:05Ethan and Leander's eyes were red too,
22:08too shocked and guilty to say a word.
22:10But,
22:10the footage kept rolling.
22:12Then,
22:13it cut to Chloe.
22:14She stood by the staff break room,
22:16slipping a stack of hundreds to an attendant,
22:18their heads bent close,
22:20whispering.
22:20Tick to Chico.
22:20Tick to Chico.
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